Local

Canaan caboose hits the road Railroad relic will be a guest house in New Hampshire BY RUTH EPSTEIN REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

CANAAN

Vamoose to the caboose. The landmark train car that's been a fixture at the historic Union Station was lifted off its site Wednesday and placed on a truck flatbed for its journey to Meredith, N.H. New owner Joe Crawford was at the scene, showing a bit of nervousness until it was placed on the trailer without incident.

"I feel better, and so will my wife," he said.

Crawford said he and his wife, Diane, have a home on Lake Winnipesaukee. He said it has only two bedrooms and because they receive a lot of house guests, they were thinking about renovating their home to add more sleeping areas. But the cost was too much.

"Growing up I always had trains and for about five or six years I thought that a caboose would be a great way to add extra sleeping space," said Crawford, who sells hot tubs.

He began searching for one and through word of mouth heard that the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association, which owns the Canaan Union Station, wanted to part with the caboose that has been sitting at the north end of the structure for many years. No one was quite sure for just how long it's been there, but some believe it's since the 1980s.

"Due to the upcoming renovation of the station and its condition, we decided it would be best to find it a new home," said association treasurer Ed Scott. Bob Gandolfo, who was at the station throughout the day, said the caboose just didn't fit in with the future plans for the station.

Crawford plans to place the caboose, which is 24 feet long, about 150 feet from the main house on his 3.5 acre parcel and build a three-car garage with rooms above. It will be designed with an old railroad station facade to complement the train. He thinks his grandchildren will find the caboose a real attraction.

He'll be doing the renovations himself; installing new walls, windows and lighting. He plans to find more railroad memorabilia for both the interior and exterior to add to the collection he's gathered over 30 years.

Association members did not put any price on the train car. Crawford said he made a $500 donation to the association. The cost of transporting the caboose will be about $8,000.

Bill Curtis of Simsbury, who bought a caboose to put on his property several years ago, was there to watch the proceedings. He thinks Crawford's caboose, which is from the Boston & Maine line, is of 1940s vintage.

Employees of Industrial Riggers of Waterbury gingerly lifted the caboose by crane to a waiting flatbed truck. It was taken to New Hampshire by Miles Marine Transportation of Guilford, N.H.

People going by stopped to watch and the activity brought patrons of Collin's Diner, which is across the parking lot from the station, out on the front porch.

"I'm so happy to see it stay as it is," said Pauline Moore, another association member. "It's all about restoration."

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